Feeling anxious? You’re not alone. The 2008 numbers from the National Institute of Mental Health tells us that approximately 40 million Americans suffer from an anxiety disorder, close to 20 percent of the adult population. These numbers appear to have jumped significantly over the last decade. Furthermore, most people with an anxiety disorder have more than one. People with anxiety are more likely to abuse substances (also known as self-medicating) and have or develop depression.
Here we break the numbers down and give a brief description of each type of anxiety.
6.8 million have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. People with this problem worry constantly about lots of things. They are in a state of dread and apprehensive expectation.
15 million have Social Phobia. Once known as social anxiety, people with this problem have extreme stage fright. They fear that they will embarrass or humiliate themselves in front of others.
19.2 million Americans have a Specific Phobia. Formerly known as simple phobia, these folks have an excessive fear of some situation or object. Common phobias include fear of heights, snakes, blood, or being in a small space.
1.8 million have Agoraphobia. This disorder involves intense anxiety about being in a place that they can’t escape from such as a crowded shopping mall, a car, a plane. Because of their fears, they avoid places and some can become housebound.
7.7 million have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. People who suffer from PTSD have experienced or witnessed a life-threatening trauma such as war, assault, or natural disaster.
6 million suffer from Panic Disorder. Panic attacks feel horrible. Symptoms include pounding heart, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, feelings of dread, and fear. Panic is often accompanied by Agoraphobia.
2.2 million people have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCD often begins in childhood. Many people with OCD never get help but keep their symptoms secret from others.
Yes, these numbers total more than 40 million. Remember, people tend to suffer from more than one anxiety disorder at a time. And in some sense, the numbers tell us what we already know. We live in a time of high stress. Unemployment continues to rise and quarterly statements remind us about the destruction of our retirement savings. Today’s economy can readily increase normal worries to the edge of a diagnosable disorder or beyond. Furthermore, terrorism, the signs of further outbreaks of war worldwide, looming havoc from global warming, and increased violence in our schools and society all impinge upon our senses and increase everyone’s anxiety.
The good news: anxiety disorders are highly treatable and treatments work. So if you have anxiety, we encourage you to seek help. Throughout these blogs we hope to provide our readers the latest research on the empirically validated treatments for anxiety.
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From Psych Central's Social Media Stream:
PsychCentral (March 1, 2009)
Occasionally I feel extremely anxious for no apparent reason. Almost like I have this big feeling of dread in my chest accompanied with a great excess of energy. Is this normal?
Hi Jessica,
If this is a relatively new feeling, I wonder if you are taking any new medications or if there are any new stressors in your life. In any case if these feelings are bothering you, check it out with your physician first and then get a referral to a mental health professional–especially if the feelings continue. The good news is that anxiety can be treated very effectively in a variety of ways. Good Luck.
the saddest part of having a anxiety disorder is the judgement you receive. i am on probation at my job because of my anxiety. i cannot control the anxiety, and i really don’t like being this way. it has made me lose my self confidence and has lowered my self esteem. i just keep praying and ask GOD to heal the anxiety. i just wish there was someone who really understood the pain that we go through having this disorder.
Last reviewed: 9 Mar 2009
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